Page 68 of Tamed By a Passionate Lady
James took a deep breath. “I know everything, Reuben,” he said, his gaze hard. “I know what you did to Adaline, and I know what you did to me, on this cliff.”
The deep colour drained out of Reuben’s face. He blanched, turning pale.
“I do not know what you are talking about, old chap,” he said, in a high, thready voice.
“No true friend would ever pursue a man’s wife like you did,” James continued, his heart starting to thud violently in his chest. “Especially when his advances were scorned…”
Reuben looked horrified.
“But even more,” continued James, not pausing for breath, “no true friend would attempt tomurdera man to have his way with his wife, either.”
“This is preposterous,” Reuben stammered, his face sickly pale. “Utterly outrageous!”
James took a deep breath. And then, carefully, he forced himself to stand up, walking forward, towards the man.
Reuben stared at him in horror. He had no idea, of course, that James could walk. No one did. He had been secretly practising for a little while each day, intending it to be a surprise for Adaline. But now, it had turned into his trump card.
He was taller than Reuben, and he was better built. If his so-called friend had been intending to push him off the cliff again, he was ready. He would win in a scuffle. Besides, the conversation with Groves had been carefully constructed too. James had already informed the manservant what was going to happen here, and Groves was waiting, not far away, ready to intervene if Reuben did get violent again.
“You need to leave Birkenhead Lodge,” said James coldly, towering over the man. “You need to leave immediately. If you do not, I will ruin you. I will have you prosecuted for this crime.”
Reuben looked like he was going to be sick. The shock was genuine; he honestly had not suspected, for a moment, that this was going to happen.
“Please, James,” he begged, in a whining voice. “We do not have to resort to this. There is Isabel to think of, after all. She has improved so much since she has come to Birkenhead Lodge, and will suffer going back to Liverpool. Can we not just put it behind us?”
James gazed at him, stunned. The fact that he had resorted to using his ill sister as leverage to stay on at Birkenhead Lodge was simply astounding.
“It will upset her to learn of this,” he continued quickly. “It might cause her to relapse entirely. We do not want that, do we?”
“Is there nothing you will not stoop to?” glowered James, advancing toward him. “Using yoursisteras a reason for you to keep staying on at my house?” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “You truly think that I would let you stay around me and my wife, after all that you have done? Your arrogance beggars belief.”
Reuben blinked rapidly, like a cornered rat seeking escape.
“I offered myhometo you,” he spat. “My hospitality, for as long as you desired. And how have you repaid me? By trying to seduce my wife, behind my back, and then trying to kill me, so that you could have your way with her.” He took a deep, ragged breath. “I know what you were trying to achieve. With me conveniently out of the way, you would marry my wife and take my home and everything in it.”
Reuben’s face hardened. But he was still silent. James could almost hear the clicking of his mind as it whirred around, trying to think of another way to salvage the situation. The fact that the man was still not admitting defeat was truly astonishing. So was the fact that he had not even attempted to apologise or explain the reasons behind his foul deeds.
“You have betrayed our friendship in every way possible,” James continued, his voice shaking. “Was it worth it, Reuben? All the resentment and jealousy? It has made you a bitter, twisted man. You would have blood on your hands, now, if I had not survived that fall. How can you evenlivewith yourself, let alone stand there, begging me to let it go, to carry on as if nothing has happened?”
Reuben swore, underneath his breath. “You have everything that I should have!” he cried, in a high, shrill voice. “Why do you get to live in paradise, not needing to work another day in your life, with your beautiful wife, while I must slave away under my father’s thumb? Why have the gods smiled on you, and not me?” He paused, his breathing ragged. “I was only trying to become the master of my own destiny, that is all.”
“By killing me, and taking my wife?” James stepped closer still. “If you were not so contemptable, I would feel sorry for you.” He paused. “It is not to be borne. You will leave Birkenhead Lodge. I do not ever want to see your face again, do you understand? You will go away, and never bother us again. If you try, you will end up in chains, in prison. I promise you that.”
His heart was racing hard in his chest, as he stared at the man, loathing him with his entire being.
“The only reason I am not prosecuting you now,” he continued, “is in memory of my father, and the great love he had for your own father, and your family. And for the sake of your family, too. I do not want to put your father, mother and Isabel through the heartache of it. Think yourself very, very lucky…”
“James,” he wheedled. “Please…”
James put a hand up. “No. No more. I will not hear another word from you. You are beyond contempt.” He took a deep breath. “Isabel is welcome to stay on at Birkenhead Lodge for as long as she likes. She is an innocent in all of this. But you will leave, now, and never, ever return.”
Reuben glowered. “As you wish.”
“I do,” said James. Suddenly, he raised his voice. “Groves, you can come out now. It is all done the way that it should be, and we need to escort Mr. Montgomery back to the house to collect his things.” He paused. “His visit is coming to alongoverdue end.”
***
He didn’t know how he was expecting to feel as Groves pushed him along, back towards the house, with Reuben trailing like a glowering cat. Relieved? Vindicated?
